Opportunities "driven by Bromley's demographic"

by Siobhán Crozier Fri 14 November 2014, 3:58 pm

Bromley is "a fantastic town" in which to do business. This is the view of Marc Myers, general manager of intu Bromley, who addressed 90 guests at the launch of 3Fox International's Invest Bromley magazine in November 2014.

Council leader, Stephen Carr

The event, held at the Bishop’s Palace in the London borough’s civic centre, was sponsored by intu Bromley. Myers said: “The opportunities here are driven by the unique and loyal demographic – which boasts the most affluent Acorn profile group in the UK – and we know they visit our town several times a week. My business has the confidence, together with our partners, to continue to invest in our shopping centre and in Bromley itself.”

Myers went on to outline intu Bromley’s further development plans, which have received consent and will include a five-screen boutique cinema with dining service.

Speakers from the London Borough of Bromley were its leader, Councillor Stephen Carr, and Councillor Peter Morgan, whose portfolio is renewal and recreation.

Carr said that the council has worked to stimulate business growth in the borough: “We’ve been investing in our high streets; we’re pleased to have a pot of some £30 million to invest in regeneration around the borough and we’re looking to expand that.”

Morgan said: “Bromley is a great place to do business. An independent survey of how happy people are shows Kensington and Chelsea first, followed by Bromley, as people are happy to work and live here.”

Morgan added that green space and the variety of housing are important factors for residents, with even more new homes in development. He said: “We have all sorts of housing from really very affordable to really very expensive. Cathedral is building opposite Bromley South station, a £90 million development and a great vote of confidence in the borough.”

Lucy Owen from the Greater London Authority said that the GLA has named Bromley town centre as an opportunity area, an important part of planning for London’s future growth, due to its capacity for growth in housing and employment. Owen added that the GLA welcomes Bromley’s bid for housing zone status, although these are still being evaluated.